1990 Multistate Outbreak of Hepatitis A Infections Linked Frozen Strawberries

Frozen strawberries that had been processed at a single plant were linked to outbreaks of hepatitis A. In Georgia. Illnesses occurred among students and teachers of an elementary school. Three months, later, in Montana, an outbreak involving the strawberries occurred among residents and staff of an institution for developmentally disabled persons. The strawberries originated from California and had been processed during one evening shift. No plant workers or field workers were known to have had hepatitis during the processing period. The exact source of the contamination was never determined.

Overview

Outbreak began:April 1990
Affected country:US
States/territories:GA, MT
Pathogen:Hepatitis A
Vehicle(s):strawberries
Location(s):School, Institutional setting
Molecular test results:Not reported

Health impact

Total ill:51

Sources & documents

Report / reference links